Biography
Jennifer Nettles Band was an American band led by singer and songwriter Jennifer Nettles that featured Brad Sikes (drums), Mike Cebulski (percussion), Scott Nicholson (piano), Wes Lupold (bass).
According to Songfacts, Nettles made inroads on the independent circuit, gaining a small degree of national attention, then later becomes a pop-country superstar. With Jennifer Nettles Band, the future Sugarland artist released three independent albums and went on the Lilith Fair in 1999. The band drew praises from a number of music publications including Performing Songwriter magazine, and accumulated a substantial fan base along the East Coast.
Nettles formed Sugarland in 2003 and when they hit it big, her Jennifer Nettles Band pretty much vanished
With a presentation of engaging tunes, dynamic vocals, and poetic flair in a passionately charged live setting, Jennifer Nettles and her band were quite successful during the mid- to late '90s. Originally a native of Atlanta, GA, Nettles successful career began with the release of Story of Your Bones and quickly a following was created. Over the course of her touring, Nettles received rave reviews from many publications including Jezebel, Atlanta City Mag, the Album Network, Southeastern Performer, and the Performing Songwriter. Nettles was rewarded with gigs at such momentous occasions such as the 1999 Lilith Fair Tour, Big Day Out 2000, and Music Midtown 1999.
Though much of her crafty songwriting and poetic expression merited a listen on their own, Nettles joined the royal company of a gifted and charismatic backing band. Drummer Brad Sikes put forth the group's ever-changing and diverse rhythms. Scott Nicholson bought to life the magic of the piano's keys with stirring ebony-and-ivory passages. Wesley Lupold lays down the framework of the songs chord structures with bass. And Mike Cebulski presented an eclectic array of sounds and rhythms with his gift of percussion. Nettles received airplay in major cities such as New York, Cleveland, Memphis, Atlanta, and throughout the Carolinas. Because of her songwriting magic and growing fan base, and those behind the scenes who devote their time toward helping market her music, Jennifer Nettles received the distinguished honor of being presented the Independent Musician of the Year award for 2001.
Nettles was influenced and inspired by a splendid mix of rock, blues, folk, and soul, and those influences reflected clearly in her work. She began her singing career in 1996 while performing with Soul Miner's Daughter in the Atlanta and Decatur music scene. A singer since the age of seven, Nettles certainly was not shy of showing her witty charm, and was not afraid of challenging herself to continually write and sing powerful, honest, soul-charging songs with engaging lyrical content. At times her tunes were filled with amazing richness and personality, while others left the listener dazed and haunted.
Jennifer Nettles Band made routine trips to such notable venues as the Variety Playhouse (Atlanta), the 40 Watt (Athens), and the Mercury Lounge (New York City). Her songs are full of poetic meaning, and the band plays with a sense of attitude, winning over her audiences each and every time, and making a crop of fresh new listeners happy as well. Her release Gravity: Drag Me Down appeared in February 2002.
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